Non-contact Absolute Temperature Measurement via Thermal Gradient Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement devices face restrictions in installation location and complexity due to the need for heavy objects like blackbody furnaces or mirror-finished shutters, making non-contact absolute temperature measurement challenging.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measurement device that includes a thermal image sensor for relative temperature measurement, a temperature sensor for absolute temperature measurement, and units for estimating and correcting absolute temperature distribution using a reference point, allowing for non-contact absolute temperature measurement without installation location restrictions and with a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a blackbody furnace is installed to enable absolute temperature measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation location restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of absolute temperature reference from the complex blackbody furnace system. Instead of using a heavy blackbody furnace, the invention uses a simple temperature sensor to measure absolute temperature at one location, and then calculates reference temperatures at other locations using temperature gradient information from the thermal image sensor. This extracts only the necessary measurement function while removing unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical blackbody furnace system with a computational approach. Instead of physically installing a heavy reference temperature source (mechanical system), the invention uses mathematical calculations based on temperature gradients to determine reference temperatures. This substitutes a mechanical system with an information-processing approach, reducing device complexity and installation restrictions.
2Measurement precision
If a mirror-finished shutter and shutter driver are installed to correct relative temperature to absolute temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential correction function from the mirror-finished shutter system. Instead of using a complex shutter mechanism with drivers, the invention directly calculates correction values using temperature gradient information. This extracts only the necessary temperature correction function while removing the mechanical shutter components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter and driver system with a computational correction approach. Instead of physically blocking and reflecting infrared radiation with a mirror-finished shutter (mechanical system), the invention uses mathematical calculations to correct relative temperature measurements to absolute temperatures based on temperature gradient data.
3Measurement precision
If a blackbody furnace is installed to enable non-contact absolute temperature measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but installation location restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential reference temperature measurement function from the blackbody furnace. Instead of requiring a heavy blackbody furnace to be installed near the measurement target, the invention uses a temperature sensor to measure absolute temperature at any convenient location and then calculates reference temperatures at other locations using temperature gradient information. This extracts only the necessary reference measurement function while removing installation location restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical blackbody furnace system with an information-processing approach that calculates reference temperatures mathematically. This substitution removes the physical constraints of installing a heavy reference temperature source near the measurement target, allowing flexible installation locations while maintaining measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables non-contact absolute temperature measurement of a measurement target with a simple configuration, free from installation location restrictions, by estimating and correcting absolute temperature distribution using a reference point and vertical distance information.
Implementation Method 1
infrared cameras to detect infrared radiation emitted from the surfaces of objects
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor to acquire an absolute temperature in the space
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal image sensor to acquire a relative temperature and a temperature sensor to acquire an absolute temperature are provided in a space; a reference point is set at a position different from a temperature sensor installation position; and an absolute temperature of the reference point is estimated from a measurement value of the temperature sensor, a vertical component of a distance from the temperature sensor installation position to the reference point, a vertical component of a distance from the upper surface to the lower surface of the space, and a temperature coefficient of the space. A correction value is determined from the absolute temperature and relative temperature of the reference point, and an absolute temperature distribution is generated from the relative temperature distribution and the correction value. This allows a non-contact measurement of the absolute temperature of a measurement target with a simple configuration and without installation location restriction.